Best Online Nursing Programs in Shelby, NC (2026)
Shelby, North Carolina has a population of about 21,868. The city’s median household income is $50,705 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Shelby, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $32,494 per year for indexed programs. In North Carolina, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $226,460 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Shelby
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 72 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Shelby. Distances are calculated from Shelby city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 2.8 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, NC | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | 17.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 20.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale, NC | 21.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 28.3 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | 31.1 mi | $2,650 - $15,451 | – |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | 31.6 mi | $11,583 - $24,565 | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 31.8 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | 33.4 mi | $5,046 - $15,031 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Shelby
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (North Carolina, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,860 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,380 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $226,460 |
| Nurse Midwife | $121,490 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,020 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,670 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Shelby at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,868 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,705 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Shelby-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Gaffney, SC – 16.2 mi away (21,692 pop)
- Forest City, NC – 18.8 mi away (25,817 pop)
- Gastonia, NC – 20.3 mi away (178,477 pop)
- Lincolnton, NC – 21.4 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Spartanburg, SC – 32.3 mi away (185,031 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Shelby, NC?
Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Shelby. The closest is Cleveland Community College in Shelby, NC (2.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Spartanburg Community College (33.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles in North Carolina?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles in North Carolina are: Nurse Anesthetist ($226,460), Nurse Practitioner ($125,020), Nurse Midwife ($121,490). Wages for Shelby workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Gaffney instead of Shelby?
Gaffney, SC is 16.2 miles from Shelby and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Shelby an affordable place to study nursing?
Shelby’s median household income of $50,705 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Shelby while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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